Retreat in Japan?
September 5, 2006 3:07 PM Subscribe
Can you recommend a retreat in Japan for an American?
My friend wants to go to a retreat in Japan that would be something like the one he wanted to go to several years ago but couldn't get away from work. And now can't remember the name.
Although probably buddhist , (I assume), the retreat did not require guests to meditate or know anything about Buddhism. But you were supposed to work while you were there. My friend liked the idea of having to work like everyone else while he was there.
A non-sectarian retreat would be great if there is such a thing.
Easy access from an airport would be important since my friend has never traveled in Japan.
My friend is an accountant and feels like if he doesn't get away and go on this retreat he might not survive (he is worried about a stroke or heart attack). So any help you can offer would be so appreciated!
My friend wants to go to a retreat in Japan that would be something like the one he wanted to go to several years ago but couldn't get away from work. And now can't remember the name.
Although probably buddhist , (I assume), the retreat did not require guests to meditate or know anything about Buddhism. But you were supposed to work while you were there. My friend liked the idea of having to work like everyone else while he was there.
A non-sectarian retreat would be great if there is such a thing.
Easy access from an airport would be important since my friend has never traveled in Japan.
My friend is an accountant and feels like if he doesn't get away and go on this retreat he might not survive (he is worried about a stroke or heart attack). So any help you can offer would be so appreciated!
This book may or may not discourage him, but I think it some helpful information about (Zen) Buddhism in Japan for visitors/non-natives. Almost everything is a few hours from Narita airport, but the transportation system is excellent and he should be able to get around easily once the culture shock wears off.
posted by ejoey at 5:15 PM on September 5, 2006
posted by ejoey at 5:15 PM on September 5, 2006
Just a couple of weeks back I saw a retreat on TV where there were mainly foreigners there studying Buddhism and working. It was a bit rural and regretfully I can't recall the name or location right now.
(sorry to be a bit useless)
One thing to keep in mind is that most places (even this mostly gaijin one) in Japan will probably require some level of Japanese understanding and it might be worth looking at retreats in some other Buddhist countries as well.
posted by gomichild at 7:16 PM on September 5, 2006
(sorry to be a bit useless)
One thing to keep in mind is that most places (even this mostly gaijin one) in Japan will probably require some level of Japanese understanding and it might be worth looking at retreats in some other Buddhist countries as well.
posted by gomichild at 7:16 PM on September 5, 2006
I don't understand. Your accountant friend has never been to Japan, but wants to go/do something "like the one he wanted to go to several years ago but couldn't -- and now can't remember the name" but this "one" wasn't in Japan, either, right? So what involved that country?
But -- here's a word for you: shukubo. It means temple lodging, and I've never done it, but foreigners can sign up to spend time in a temple, minimally overnight. Most opportunities for this are around Kyoto, and there's also a place near Osaka called Koya which has many temples, up on a mountain. More about shukubo.
posted by Rash at 9:34 AM on September 6, 2006
But -- here's a word for you: shukubo. It means temple lodging, and I've never done it, but foreigners can sign up to spend time in a temple, minimally overnight. Most opportunities for this are around Kyoto, and there's also a place near Osaka called Koya which has many temples, up on a mountain. More about shukubo.
posted by Rash at 9:34 AM on September 6, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by jal0021 at 4:48 PM on September 5, 2006